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This Lime Cordial is a versatile and sweet drink mixer with a tart edge.
It’s perfect mixed with water for a refreshing summer drink, or use it to make Lemon Lime and Bitters or your favourite cocktail.

Which limes make the best cordial?
Here, I’ve used the limes most commonly found in Australian supermarkets – the Tahitian or Persian lime.
Although limes are available all year round, they are most plentiful and delicious from January to April.
And the ones I’ve used here are extra delicious as they’re are from my backyard tree! I totally recommend growing your own limes.

Makrut limes are popular in cooking, however they have very little juice so are not the best option for making cordial.
Other lime varieties you could try include the West Indian or Mexican lime, Finger limes and the Australian Desert lime.
Making lime cordial at home
You’ll need about six limes to make this recipe, a couple more if they’re on the smaller or less juicy side.
Wash the limes and cut them in half.
You then juice the limes and remove the zest from two of the limes.

The recipe calls for tartaric acid to be mixed with the juice. This helps with both the flavour and preservation.
You can substitute citric acid, however tartaric acid is preferred and can be found at large supermarkets and smaller, boutique food stores.
In Australia, I buy tartaric acid from my local IGA.
The sugar and water are then combined with the zest in a saucepan and heated to dissolve the sugar completely.
It’s then a case of combining the juice and sugar mixtures, allowing to settle for 15 minutes, straining with a muslin cloth and bottling.
Oh, and most of all, enjoying your lime cordial!
You should end up with about 850ml of cordial. It should last in the pantry for 6 months if bottled correctly or 12 months in the fridge.
Love homemade cordials and drinks?
Find more old-fashioned cordial and drinks recipes here.

Lime Cordial
Ingredients
- 6-8 limes (they should weigh around 500 grams in total and yield 200-250ml juice)
- 2 teaspoons tartaric acid
- 2 1/2 cups caster sugar
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Juice limes. Add tartaric acid and stir to combine.
- Use a fine grater to get zest from two of the limes.
- Add sugar, zest and water to a saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture just starts to simmer. This should take about 5 minutes. Remove mixture immediately as it starts to simmer.
- Pour sugar mixture over lime juice and leave for 15 minutes.
- Strain mixture using a muslin cloth, pour into a bottle and place the lid on the bottle.
- Allow to cool and store in the pantry for up to 6 months. Or pop it in the fridge to enjoy immediately.
- Enjoy mixed with water or soda water, using 1 part cordial to 4 or 5 parts water.
Sally
Sunday 19th of November 2023
Hi Iโm able to find Cream of Tartar but not tartaric acid. Can I substitute this ?
Libby Hakim
Monday 27th of November 2023
Use citric acid if you can't find Tartaric Acid. Here's a post on where you can buy Tartaric Acid. Good luck!
Jesse Searls
Saturday 14th of October 2023
Hi, thanks for this recipe. We have a lime tree which produces 100s of limes. I varied the recipe a little, I used half castor sugar half light brown sugar. I added some of the lime pulp from the juicer and I didn't filter the finished cordial. I like my cordial tangy and use it for making Mojitos too.
Libby Hakim
Saturday 14th of October 2023
You're welcome, Jesse. Thanks for the feedback on your variations. This is always helpful for me and others using the recipe. Cheers to some Mojitos with your lime cordial!
Cheryl Boyce
Wednesday 14th of June 2023
I used homegrown Tahitian limes. Beautiful flavour so I made another batch. Hoping to give as Christmas gifts. Thank you. Cheryl from Canberra
Libby Hakim
Wednesday 14th of June 2023
Hi Cheryl. Lovely idea! Thanks for leaving a review. Enjoy! :)